Malaysia: Met department issues widespread thunderstorm warning

ELVINA New Straits Times 6 Jan 15;

SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a widespread thunderstorm warning over the waters of Selangor, Negri Sembilan and West Johor.

In a statement on the website, the thunderstorm was expected to continue until late afternoon on Tuesday.

"This condition may cause strong winds up to 50 kmph and rough seas with waves up to 3.5 meters and dangerous to small boats," it said.

There was also strong winds and rough seas warning with wind of 40 to 50 kmph with waves up to 3.5 meters occurring over the waters off Pahang, East Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sarawak, Sabah (Interior, West Coast and Kudat) and Labuan.

"This is expected to continue until Thursday," it added.

The statement also pointed out that the condition was particularly dangerous to small craft.

"Any recreational sea activities and sea sports should be avoided," it said.

A shipping warning was also issued by the department with strong Northeasterly winds of 50 to 60 kmph and waves up to 4.5 meters occurring over the waters off Condore, Reef North, Layang-Layang, Palawan, Samui, Tioman, Bunguran, Reef South and Labuan.

It added that the situation was expected to continue until Thursday.

"This condition (of strong winds and rough seas) is dangerous to all shipping and coastal activities including fishing and ferry services."

Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah brace for thunderstorms
HALIM SAID New Straits Times 6 Jan 15;

JOHOR BARU: Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah braced for thunderstorms with strong winds as the Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a yellow stage thunderstorm likely to hit the states between Jan 7 until Jan 9.

Johor is currently experiencing heavy rain but was removed from the list of flood hit states.

The Portal Bencana website, had described the weather phenomenon to be monsoon rain with strong winds.

The thunderstorm will likely to occur in eight of 10 districts in Johor namely Segamat, Ledang, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Johor Baru, Kulaijaya and Pontian.